Lug-centric wheels ok?

[2002maniac]

Ok, I would like to get some dedicated wheels/tires for auto-x and the track. Diamond racing sells a 15x8 that weighs 16lbs (steel) for $80 a pop. The only problem is that the wheels are balanced by the lugs not the center hole. I really wouldnt mind a slight shimmy since I wouldnt ever drive these on the street but do you guys think this would be ok?

I think 15x8's with some 225/45's would be heaven.

[boom-monkey]

No, wheels must be hubcentric. You want most of the forces being focused on the hub, with the lugs for the most part just holding the wheel on the hub.

The lugs cannot take the kind of forces that even street driving delivers.

[2002maniac]

what about in the old days when wheels werent hub-centric? Would wheel studs be appropriate?

[BUDNUNTA]

i was at summit point last summer and a guy in a spec e30 ran lug centric wheels on his car. he had changed from studs to lugs.
maybe you should look into that?

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

i was at summit point last summer and a guy in a spec e30 ran lug centric wheels on his car. he had changed from studs to lugs.
maybe you should look into that?

do you mean from bolt to stud?

[E30 Racer]

Ok, I would like to get some dedicated wheels/tires for auto-x and the track. Diamond racing sells a 15x8 that weighs 16lbs (steel) for $80 a pop. The only problem is that the wheels are balanced by the lugs not the center hole. I really wouldnt mind a slight shimmy since I wouldnt ever drive these on the street but do you guys think this would be ok?

I think 15x8's with some 225/45's would be heaven.

Ideally you want hub centric wheels. That said, I've used lug centric wheels many times for auto-x, and have never had a problem. Just keep an eye on the lug nut/bolt tightness.

Another issue you may need to consider with the Diamond wheels is the shape of the tapered holes (those the lug nut/bolt fit into). They used to be 45 degree tapers, whereas BMW uses a more conventional 60 degree taper. DO NOT USE A 60 DEGREE TAPER IN A 45 DEGREE HOLE!!! The amount of contact area between the nut/bolt and the wheel is dramatically reduced. This has been know to cause the nut/bolts to loosen during use. Not good. I believe Diamond sells the correct lug nuts; you may have to convert to studs (which is not necessarily a bad thing, tire changes are *much* easier).

[ilia]

An important point is that bolts in general (lugs included) are NOT used to locate, they are used to CLAMP. They create a clamping force, that's it. You need another structure of some sort (say a hub) to locate a component in relation to another component.

[pig4bill]

For the extra money the studs would cost you, you could buy decent hub concentric wheels. You wouldn't trust lug-centric wheels on the street, but 100+ mph on the track is fine?

[2002maniac]

You wouldn't trust lug-centric wheels on the street, but 100+ mph on the track is fine?

I would trust them, they would just be more prone to vibration and shimmy.

[1991 318is]

Buy some rings.

Discount Tire sells hubcentric rings for about $20. Cheapo alloy racing wheels are about the same price, weogh 12-14 lbs. and come with rings.